Spanish Inquisition By Zakary F.
Jewsish man being tortured for his religion
Jewsish man being tortured for his religion

Time lasted 1478-1834
Event happened in Spain/Portugal
This event was during 1478-1834 CA. This event started from both by religion and the government. At the time Christian Spaniards wanted to unify Spain because at the time Spain was a nation-state and had many religions (Christians,Jews,Musluims,Protestants). At the time them being christains thought it would be a great idea to unify the nation by getting rid of the other religions and only leaving christains,thinking it would help unify the country so they asked the Pope at the time to help start a inquisition in Spain. At the same time Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand were becoming scared of the Jewish influence in the area of Spain so they too asked the Pope for help.

The Pope at the time Pope Leo X agreed to help them "cleanse" Spain of the nonbelievers. The Pope along with the Spainish King and Queen drove the other religions out of Spain. All though if you did convert religion they would sometimes spare you. If you would not convert you would be tortured until you would or killed. Many of the people of these other religions would flee the nation. Soon Spain expelled the Jews from from there nation this added to the amount of Jews and fleeing or leaving the country.(They really forbid the religion from being practiced) Some would keep their religion secert and worship in hidden areas were people wouldn't notice. They were called conversos. Some conversos were caught and put on trial some made it out by making penance the others were burnt. For example 13,000 conversos were put on trial in the first 12 years of the inquisition. Later on in the inquisition 31,912 heretics were burned at the stake.

As the people fled from Spain they would travel to areas such as Portugal and the U.S calonies/country were they could live with out fear. Pope Leo saw them fleeing to Portugal and started another inquisition there.In Portugal 40,000 people were put on trial and 1,800 were burnt at the stake. Finaly though at 1834 CA the inquisition ended.

Effects on the world
Effect on the U.S. : During the inquisition many Jews and Muslims came over to the U.S. to gain back their rights and not be fought against for having there religion. This helped our country get more people and grow in size. They came over when the country was colonies and when it was a country.
Effect on Europe : This event made Muslims totaly decline in Europe but the Jews remained there they fled north,west,and east while Muslims mostly went south or west to the U.S. so as you can see if you go to Europe not many Muslims live there.
Effect on the world: This act of the Jews and Muslims fleeing from Spain acted as a way to trade ideas of religion and way of life,as these fleeing people would talk to other townsmen or locals they could share ideas.


Work Cited
http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/westeurope/SpanInqui.html
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Inquisition.html